Molten metal sampling



Patented New 5, "M34 .MQLTEN METAL SAR IPLWG Charles B. Francis,Pittsbnrgh, Pa.

Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 729,85ll

'1 Claims.

, This invention relates to the sampling of mol-w ten metal, one of theobjects being to obtain a sample from 'molten metal in a furnace so thatthe sample obtained is not oxidized by the atmos phere in the furnaceorotherwise. Gther objects may be inferred. 1

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of a device constructed according to the presentinvention,

Figures 2 and 3 are respectively longitudinal and transversecross-sections of the device.

Figures 4 and 5 are top views of parts of the device.

The drawing shows a sampling device including a cast-iron or steel mold1 that is of sulficient weight as compared to its size to be capable ofabsorbing sufi'icient heat to solidify molten steel contained thereinwhen it is itself completely immersed in a body of the molten metal.This mold is provided with 'a suitable handle 2 of such length that itmay be used to immerse the mold in a body'oi. molten metal.

A light gage terneplate cover 3 is constructed for application to theentrance of the mold 1. This coveris illustrated as consisting of a mainportion 3 of such'size and shape that its edge portions may be bent downover the sides of the mold 1, and fastening portions'3 which are of suchlength that they may be wrapped completely around'the mold and theirends bent together to fasten the cover as a whole in place.

When the device is to be used to obtain a sample of molten steel from anopen-hearth furnace. the mold 1 should be made of such external sizethat it may be inserted through the wicket in the door of the furnace,while the handle 2 should be of suflicient length to permit immersion ofthe mold in the steel in the furnace.

. it is held immersed for a short time.

During the time the mold is immersed in the molten steel the cover3melts and allows a sample of the steel to flow into the mold, whichthen quickly absorbs sufficientv heat from the sample to efiect itssolidification. The mold is then withdrawn from the furnace by means ofits handle 2. As the sample in the mold is exposed to the slag on thesteel and to the atmosphere in that the mold 1 contains a deoxidizingmetal wire the furnace only after it has solidified, there is no dangerof the sample internally absorbing anything from the slag or oxygen fromthe atmosphere. Therefore, proper drilling to obtain a por- .ple takenfromthe furnace. Therefore, the de vice being disclosed is furthercharacterized in v 4 in its bottom portion. A plate 5 of the same 'metalis forced into the mold so as to hold the wire 4 against displacement.This plate may be relatively thin and of such size that its forcibleinsertion into the mold will retain it in place. Since the inside ofthemold will ordinarily be slightly tapered, such procedure is quiteeasy. It is believed that best deoxidizing results are obtained by theuse of aluminumwire, the plate 5 being'then also made of aluminum. It isob vious that the steel which enters the mold after the cover 3 ismelted away is thoroughly deoxi-' dized almost immediately, this'beingnecessary because the sample freezes rather rapidly.

Terneplate is used for the cover 3 because the lead and tin coatingresists oxidation sufficiently to protect the cover against being burntaway while the mold is being slagged. Other coatings having a similarprotective quality might also be used. 1 i 5 Although a specific exampleof the invention is disclosed in accordance with the patent statutes,its scope is not intended to be limited exactly thereto, except asdefined by the following claims.

I claim: l. A device for sampling molten metal, includ- -ing a moldconstructed to absorb suflicient heat to solidify moltenmetal thereinwhile it is itself completely immersed in a body of the same and a coverfor the entrance to said mold that is constructed to disintegrateshortly after being contacted by molten metal.

2. A device for sampling molten metal, ineluding a mold constructed toabsorb sufilcient heat to solidify molten metal therein while it isitself completely immersed in a body of the same, a cover for theentrance to said mold that is constructed to disintegrate shortly afterbeing contacted by molten metal, and means in said mold for retaining adeoxidizer therein.

.3. A device for sampling molten metal including a mold constructed toabsorb sufficient heat to solidify molten metal therein while it isitself completely immersed in a body of the same, a cover for theentrance to said mold that is con- Cit structed to disintegrate shortlyafter being contacted by molten metal, deoxidizing metal wire in thebottom portion of said mold and a plate of said deoxidizing metal forcedinto said mold so as to hold'said wire against displacement.

4. A device for sampling molten metal, including a metal moldconstructed to absorb suflicient heat to solidify molten metal thereinwhile it is itself completely immersed in a body of the same, and arelatively thin metallic cover for the entrance to said mold that has asurface which resists oxidation sufllciently to protect the same.

5. A device for sampling molten steel, including a cast-iron or steelmold that is 01 sufiicient weight as compared to its size to be capableof absorbing sufllcient heat to solidify molten steel therein when it isitself completely immersed in the molten steel to be sampled, and alight weight terneplate cover constructed for application to theentrance to said mold.

6. A device for sampling molten steel, including a cast-ironsor steelmold that is oi. sufficient weight as compared to its size to be capableof absorbing sufllcient heat to solidify molten steel therein when it isitself completely immersed in the molten steel to be sampled, a lightweight terneplate cover constructed Ionapplication to the entrance tosaid mold, a deoxidizing metal wire in the bottom portion of said moldand a plate of said deoxidizing metal forced into said mold so as tohold said wire against displacement.' 3

7. A method of obtaining a'subsurface sample from a body of moltenmetal, including covering the entrance to a container with a thin metalplate, immersing said container in said metal at the desired subsurfacearea and leaving it so immersed until said plate melts through, allowingmolten metal to enter and become solidified by absorption of its heat bysaid container, and then raising said container from said metal andremoving the solidified metal therein.

CHARLES B. FRANCIS.

